There’s little more insulting when speaking at a networking event than the person your speaking to, and this applies both 1:2:1 and speaking to a group, stops looking at you and stats playing with their phone.
Of course, if you’re planning diary dates it’s a little different but if you’re actually having a conversation or the other person is talking to the group then what you’re saying to the them is “I’ve got other much more important things to be doing than listening to you speak!”.
Reputations take hold fast and they stick. Do you want to be known as someone who doesn’t listen to others but wants people listen to and help you with your business?
That’s up there with people who arrive at networking meetings and go ‘fishing’, stalking the room handing out business cards, selling to everyone and then sending spammy sales emails after the meeting, needless stay that sort of behaviour wont get you invited back.
If you want to create a good impact with your fellow networkers then give them the attention you would want to receive and leave phone fiddling til after the meeting is over.
As always I’d love to hear your experiences and thoughts on this so please join in the conversation below…